Cited by 287Folate and B Vitamins ResearchTreatment of Major DepressionTryptophan and brain disorders

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Folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine in major depressive disorder

Maurizio Fava M. D, Joseph S. Borus, Jonathan E. Alpert, Andrew Alan Nierenberg, Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, Teodoro Bottiglieri·1997·American Journal of Psychiatry

DOI 10.1176/ajp.154.3.426

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the relationships between levels of three metabolites (folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine) and both depressive subtype and response to fluoxetine treatment in depressed patients. METHOD: Fluoxetine, 20 mg/day for 8 weeks, was given to 213 outpatients with major depressive disorder. At baseline, depressive subtypes were assessed, and a blood sample was collected from each patient. Serum metabolite levels were assayed. Response to treatment was determined by percentage change in score on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS: Subjects with low folate levels were more likely to have melancholic depression and were significantly less likely to respond to fluoxetine. Homocysteine and B12 levels were not associated with depressive subtype or treatment response. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results are consistent with findings linking low folate levels to poorer response to antidepressant treatment. Folate levels might be considered in the evaluation of depressed patients who do not respond to antidepressant treatment.

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“…severity of depression, low or delayed response rate to antidepressants, and increased relapse rates (Abou-Saleh et al. 1986, Carney et al. 1990, Fava et al. 1997, Abou- Saleh & Coppen 1989, Bottiglieri et al. 1992, Bottiglieri et al. 2000, Coppen et al. 1989, Coppen & Bailey 2000, Papakostas…”
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Circulating alpha-2-macroglobulin levels and depression scores in patients who underwent abdominal cancer surgery
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“Response to antidepressant medication has also been found to be dependent upon folate status (Reynolds et al. 1970; Wesson et al. 1994; Fava et al. 1997) and enhanced by folic acid supplementation (Coppen et al.”
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Authors: D, M. F. M., Borus, J. S., Alpert, J. E., Nierenberg, A. A., Rosenbaum, J. F., & Bottiglieri, T.
Affiliations: Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
ORCID: Maurizio Fava M. D
Jonathan E. Alpert
Andrew Alan Nierenberg
Teodoro Bottiglieri
Venue: American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published: 1997-03-01
Volume: 154
Issue: 3
Pages: 426-428
ISSN: 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
1535-7228
DOI: 10.1176/ajp.154.3.426
OpenAlex: W1794181152
Cited by: 287
References: 15
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 12
FWCI: 5.69
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health (1r01mh048483-01a1)
National Institute of Mental Health (MH-48483)
Topics: Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Folate and B Vitamins Research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords: folic acid, vitamin B12, homocysteine, major depressive disorder, endogenous depression, fluoxetine, antidepressant response, serum metabolites, treatment-resistant depression
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Ambulatory Care, Depressive Disorder, Female, Fluoxetine, Folic Acid, Folic Acid Deficiency, Homocysteine, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin B 12 Deficiency, Treatment Outcome

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Folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine in major depressive disorder

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